Education with Early Childhood MA

Postgraduate degree

Make an impact on young children's learning and develop your early years practice and professionalism with our online masters in early childhood education. Study 100% online and fit your early years masters around your existing commitments.

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Key facts about your online degree

How you'll study

This course is studied 100% online

Application deadline

Our next deadline is 27th May 2026

Course length

Choose to study over 1 or 2 years

Fees: £9,000

Payment plans available

Start dates

Start in January or September

Course overview

Our online masters in early childhood education focuses on early childhood from birth to eight years old and is ideal if you work with children or hold a relevant degree. You’ll build on your existing knowledge while exploring young children’s development, policies and practice in depth. The course supports you in developing your early years professionalism and specialist knowledge in an area of your choice, helping you progress in early years settings or prepare for further study such as a PhD or EdD.

Taught by experienced tutors who draw on current research, the course includes four key modules and a postgraduate major project that allows you to investigate a topic linked to your specialist area. You’ll study subjects such as early childhood principles and practice, educational research, and specialist studies in learning and teaching. Supported online study enables you to apply new theories and research directly to your workplace, strengthening your contribution and career prospects within early childhood education and the wider early years sector.

Why choose this course?

Gain expert knowledge and critical understanding of early childhood education
Develop specialist knowledge in an area aligned to your expertise
Learn from experienced and passionate higher education professionals
Study 100% online with flexibility around other commitments
Build on existing professional practice to make a real difference in early years settings
Choose to study over 1 or 2 years depending on your other commitments

What you’ll gain

Advanced understanding of young children’s learning and development
Tools to strengthen early years practice and professionalism
Ability to examine and interpret early childhood policies and practices
Skills in exploring and developing educational research
Specialist knowledge in your chosen area to support your career goals
Experience undertaking a major project linked to your professional interests

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Apply now

Course modules and assessments

Modules

Due to the structure of this course, there will be instances where you will study two modules simultaneously during a trimester. You will be supported by your tutors to help manage your workload and assessment deadlines.

Please contact one of our advisers to discuss the pacing of this course and the options available to match your circumstances.

Please also be aware that your start date will determine which modules you study. If you start in January you will study our Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching module and if you join us in September you will study our Professional Enquiry for Education module.

Core modules

Professional Enquiry for Education (September starts only)

An opportunity to develop specialist knowledge and expertise in an area of personal and professional interest, relating to education. The notion of enquiry used in this module is broad and is intended to reflect the contributions which students bring to advanced study of education from both their academic and professional contexts. You may pursue individual or small group enquiries or a larger group of you may work, with a specialist tutor, to enquire into an agreed subject area together.

Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching (January starts only)

You’ll build on developments in learning technologies and explore the context and issues of the pedagogy of technology-enhanced learning. Following an initial consideration of learning, teaching and assessment issues and practices of technology-enhanced learning you’ll consider issues underpinning the development and design of learning materials for electronic delivery. This will include multimedia learning and learning using different learning technologies. You’ll pay particular attention to developing, monitoring and evaluation skills and procedures to ensure the quality and suitability of a flexible technology-enhanced experience. E-learning or technology-enhanced learning can be defined as the use of electronic technology and media to facilitate, support and enhance learning, teaching, assessment and research.

Early Childhood - Principles, Practice & Professionalism

This module encourages you to view your experiences of early childhood education and care through different lenses in order to extend the insights they may bring to the workplace. It considers childhood from a range of historical and contemporary perspectives, including ideas and principles from pioneer early educators and from more recent theories and approaches. Different curricula and pedagogies are explored to support better understandings of the foundations and development of present-day practices, mindful of the importance of the role of educators and of indoor and outdoor play experiences. The dynamics of leadership are studied, in light of these ideas, encouraging you to develop a personal philosophy of professionalism that blends individual strengths and interests with the needs of co leagues, parents/families, and the children in their care. Together, these three strands will support the practitioner, or intending practitioner, to develop a firm but broad foundation for reflective and reflexive practice in early childhood education.

Into ARU

Entering third level education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all students to make the most of the opportunities Higher Education provides, so they reach their potential, become lifelong learners, and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you will explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete various mini tasks. You will proceed at your own pace, though we expect all students to have completed their ‘Into ARU’ exploration by week 6. Students who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete by that date, will be signposted to existing services so that we can be confident that they are supported.

Developing Educational Research

You’ll be supported to develop a high-quality research proposal to implement for your postgraduate major project. A workbook approach will guide you through the various elements that need to be considered during the process of planning and preparation for a small-scale educational research study. There will be opportunities to discuss your ideas with your tutor and peers and to present your developing research proposal for feedback. You’ll also learn by giving constructive feedback to your peers. By the end of the module, you’ll be prepared to submit an application for ethical review, to the appropriate research ethics panel, and to embark upon research for the postgraduate major project.

Postgraduate Major Project in Education

The Major Project enables you to demonstrate your ability to raise significant and meaningful questions in relation to your specialism which may involve working at the current limits of theoretical and/or research understanding. It’ll involve the ability to develop solutions to ethical dilemmas likely to arise in your research or professional practice. Gaining an understanding of an appropriate methodology, appropriate methods, and an ability to draw meaningful and justifiable conclusions from information that may be complex or contradictory. Expand or redefine your existing knowledge, to develop new approaches to changing workplace situations and/or to contribute to the development of best practice.

You’ll communicate these processes in a clear and elegant fashion and evaluate your work from the perspective of an autonomous reflective learner. Research topics will be negotiated with your appointed supervisor. The project may take the form of a written dissertation, a formal presentation and full research paper, an exhibition, a performance, an artefact, or the development of software, or other written, aural, or visual material. The project may be formed from a combination of these modes but will normally include a written component.

Optional modules

You must also successfully complete one of the following optional modules (subject to availability).

Exploring Educational Research

This module is designed to familiarise you with the various research methods that you may read about, critique, and use during your online postgraduate course in early childhood education and beyond. It’ll provide a forum for exploring, discussing and evaluating different types of educational research. You’ll have the opportunity to: look at a range of research methodologies; to find, read and review research studies; and to discuss the relevance of research for practice in education across different sectors (from birth to life-long learning). You’ll be encouraged to learn about research methodologies and methods through critical reflection on published work.

Montessori Method: Child, Adult and Environment

Gain further insight in the Montessori method which is a widely recognised pedagogical approach around the world. The approach is inspired by ‘integral humanism’, which considers children as unique individuals fully able to act with freedom, dignity, and intelligence. It considers Montessori from a historical perspective, her contributions to early childhood and offers the opportunity of exploration of Montessori through contemporary perspectives. Mindful of the importance of the child as an agent of change, you’ll consider the role of the adult and the environment in supporting children in reaching their full potential. Montessori considered leadership at different social levels, literature is considered through the lens of leadership and reflecting on these ideas, encouraging you to develop a personal philosophy of professionalism, that blends individual strengths and interests with the needs of colleagues, parents/families, and the children in their care. Together, these strands will support you, as a Montessori practitioner, to develop a firm but broad foundation for reflective and reflexive practice in Montessori education.

Intervention for Special Educational Needs and Disability

This module explores main areas of special educational need and disability, and personalised intervention that is inclusive of stakeholders, underpinned by the principle of equality of opportunity. You’ll consider the tension between identification of need and the philosophy of inclusion, and implications of Quality First Teaching within new frameworks and for sustaining children/young adults in the 0-25 years age range in their communities. Areas of need explored will include communication and interaction, cognition and learning, emotional, social and mental health, and sensory and physical needs. Implications will be considered for children/young adults with some specific conditions, for example autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, with critical consideration of implications for the child and family, and approaches to intervention.

Leading Education

This module is designed to deepen your understanding of educational leadership both nationally and internationally. Students will engage in theory and wider research with relation to leadership and management, including change management, performance evaluation and improvement planning. You’ll be expected to use key indicators and knowledge and understanding of benchmarking performance in order to identify an area of practice that would benefit from improvement. However, this practice does not necessarily need to be within your own organisation and can be linked to education in a broader sense. By the end of the module, you’ll have a rooted understanding of key principles within educational leadership, leadership for social justice and the importance of context within leadership.

Key Issues and Themes in Education

This module examines current key issues and themes in education. It explores principles of teaching and learning, the derivation and design of the curriculum and the role of schools and other education settings within the wider community. You'll engage with national strategies, frameworks and international dimensions and explore the processes and complexities of teaching and learning. The module will cover the following broad themes and will prepare you for the negotiated study module and the postgraduate major project. Learning and teaching, leadership, mentoring and coaching, learning and knowledge technology, social justice and equality in education.

Education Technology: Design, Policy and Practice

The use of digital technology has become fundamental to education provision and practice. In this module you’ll be introduced to important topics within the field and addresses some key and often little considered issues about the ever-expanding use of digital technologies in education. You'll explore the use of digital technologies in diverse educational settings and consider crucial inquiries regarding education and technology. The module questions whether digital technology can transform the process and purpose of education. You’ll investigate whether there is adequate evidence to support the purported benefits of digital technology in education, with the latest technological developments, such as AI, analysed from an educational context. With digital technology being more ubiquitous than ever, you’ll also explore its sociological, historical, and even pedagogical influences in education theory and practice. You'll also look at whether there is a need for new theories to help explain the effects of it all.

Modules are subject to change and availability.

How you’ll be assessed

Instead of sitting exams, you’ll benefit from preparing high-quality written assignments. These build up throughout each module, with opportunities for peer and tutor feedback as you learn. You’ll develop core strengths in valuable appraisal methods, such as the ability to carry out individual and collaborative critical reflections. You’ll also carry out enquiries applied directly to your specific interests and context. Each assignment will progress your learning, assessing your ability to communicate with clarity, both verbally and in written reports aimed at a range of audiences.

How you'll study

100% Online study

Dedicated support

Study online and graduate on campus

Our Education with Early Childhood MA is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC, or tablet both at home or on the move. Our virtual learning environment provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

You can choose to study our MA Education with Early Childhood Studies over 1 or 2 years. Please note that if you choose the 1-year option this is the equivalent of full-time study and may be a challenge if you’re employed full-time or have other life commitments. Our advisers will be happy to talk through your options in more detail.

On successful completion of your studies, you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

You’re expected to have a first degree, with honours, at a minimum final classification of Lower Second (2:2) or equivalent.

You will be required to obtain a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check through the University.

If you have lived outside of the UK for 6 months or more within the last 5 years, then you will need to provide a police check from the country/countries previously resided in.

If you are completing placements overseas you will be required to obtain a police check/certificate of good conduct from the relevant country.

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by ARU.

As a distance learner, you’ll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use of word processing, internet and email.

Please note: Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the course as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Other equivalent qualifications may be accepted for entry to this course, please contact us for further information.

Fees and Funding

Fees

The full tuition fee for this early years masters is £9,000.

The tuition fees you pay each year will be between £4,500 and £9,000 depending on how long you take to complete the course. You can choose to study our Education with Early Childhood MA in either 1 or 2 years.

Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted. Please note that APL may affect your eligibility for a postgraduate loan.

Funding

Your MA early childhood education can be fully funded by the Postgraduate Student Loans now available (subject to eligibility).

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

What our students say

The course has benefitted my career. The confidence I have taken from completing my modules to a high standard has translated to confidence in performing my duties at work.

Jacob, Early Years Alumni

Read Jacob's story

ARU is a well-established, internationally recognised University. I chose to do a degree here to improve my career opportunities and personal aspirations of becoming a teacher.

Peter, Early Years Alumni

Read Peter's story

Campus learning was not an option for me, but distance learning allowed me to study from the comfort of my own home.

Katherine, Management Alumni

Read Katherine's story

I am very proud of myself for finally accomplishing what I have been meaning to do for many years.

Sophie, Healthcare Alumni

Read Sophie's story

Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Supported distance learning

We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your Masters in Early Childhood Education remotely, and that’s natural.

To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist early childhood education tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.

Once you start your Masters in Early Childhood Education, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.

Visit our support page to learn more about our support services.

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Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in education

What will a masters in early childhood education do for my Career?

Being an early years teacher is one of the most rewarding vocations there is, and this Masters in early childhood education is designed to build upon your existing knowledge, experience, and qualifications to open up leadership and management positions. You will have the opportunity to strengthen your CV, thus making you a more attractive candidate to prospective employers.

If you’re happy with your current position but looking for new ways to handle challenges in the ever-evolving field of early childhood education, this course will expose you to current research methodologies and up-to-date theories on educational practice which will allow you to future proof your career and strengthen your abilities in your current role.

When undertaking a postgraduate degree through distance learning, skills such as time management, communication, and critical evaluation are essential. While you will have begun to develop these skills through your previous educational experience and career, our degree programme will help strengthen this vital skill set.

What job roles can I consider with an Education with Early Childhood MA?

What skills will I get from an Education with Early Childhood MA to help my career?

What can I study after a masters in early childhood education?

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your dream job or the next progression step.

We offer:

careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
help with your CV, job searches, applications, and interview preparation
an online portal packed with useful careers resources
our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

FAQs

A selection of popular questions

What will I learn on this MA early childhood education degree?

Our online Masters degree in early childhood education will give you a broad understanding of different research methodologies and educational theory, and the early years foundation stage which sets the standards for the learning and development of young children.

You will have the chance to reflect on published work that will help to impact your own professionalism as you move your career forwards. You will consider childhood education and child development from a range of contemporary perspectives, the practices of educational professionals in the international arena, and the importance of early educators on today’s teaching methods.

As part of this course, you will also critique ideas of early years psychology and childhood sociology, giving you the chance to carry this through to your own teaching, and implement new methods of educating your class, keeping young children engaged, and help them develop as educated individuals through vital activities such as indoor and outdoor play.

Towards the end of this distance learning degree, you will undertake a postgraduate major project. This project will give you an exciting opportunity to fine-tune your speciality as an educator.

You will undertake research into an area of your choosing, approved by your supervisor, and have the chance to present your findings through a wide range of options, including but not limited to, a full written report, visual material, or a formal presentation.

Who is suited to a masters in early childhood education?

Some of the subjects and skills you’ll explore on this course will cover familiar territory in greater depth as you build on your own professional context in the field of education. However, you’ll also study new concepts and perspectives to broaden your understanding and enable you to pursue specialist areas of interest.

This course gives you the chance to examine research in greater depth as a force for change in education. You’ll explore research methodologies to understand how research is crucial to the direction, development and improvement of solutions in education, whilst examining existing studies to inform your own perspective and laying the foundations for your own research informed practice.

Meanwhile, our Specialist Studies in Learning and Teaching module gives you the chance to learn in greater depth about an area of education relevant to your interests and ambitions. This may include learning technologies, outdoor learning, Special Educational Needs, developing assessment for learning in the classroom, critical education and social justice.

You’ll have the chance to consider your chosen specialism in greater depth through your Major Project, where you’ll examine ethics not only in the practice of education, but in research, and assess the concepts you’ve learned through the lens of practical application in the workplace.

In short, this course will build not only on your existing knowledge but your ambitions as an educator to prepare you for the challenges of the field at every level of study, including Further and Higher Education.

Why study your early childhood degree at ARU?

Our Education with Early Childhood MA is a fully online degree programme, meaning that you have the ability to set your own study schedule, fitting your learning around your own individual needs. As you will be able to complete this early childhood course in your own time, and if your current career is already in the education sector, you’ll start to see the impact of your new learning from day one.

Our expert tutors will guide you through your education, exposing you to the most relevant and up-to-date methodologies in early childhood practice. They will be on hand to answer any questions that might arise as you undertake our course and assist in your individual needs as a student.

What support will I receive at ARU Distance Learning?

At ARU, we are experts in providing our students with the highest standard of distance learning courses, and go above and beyond to ensure that every one of our students receives all the support that they need to complete their education. You will undertake your studies through our online learning management system, Canvas, and this can be accessed from a wide variety of devices, anywhere in the world that has access to an internet connection. Canvas allows you to keep in contact with your tutors and peers, and submit assignments, whether you choose to study at home or on the move.

At ARU, we care about your employability once you leave us, so we provide all of our students with excellent career advice that will leave them fully equipped to achieve their post-graduation goals and ambitions.

Take the next step, apply today

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Your future, on your terms. Apply now before the application deadline.

Apply now